About Us

The Society is primarily a library and research facility assisting members of the public with research enquiries regarding the history and heritage of Toowoomba and environs. The Society has an extensive collection of books, articles, newspaper clippings and photographs and offers a monthly lecture series and occasional exhibitions. Members of the public are welcome to make enquiries and to attend lectures/exhibitions.

History of the Society

From about 1949-1950 to c.1971 a small Toowoomba Historical Society was led by enthusiasts such as Kempton Bedwell, Jacob Donges, Cyril Horton, Hanora Frawley and Gladys Pennington. Bedwell and Donges, in particular, gave several talks on Toowoomba’s history, a few of which have survived in typescript form or as newspaper articles.

The Society was reconstituted in September 1979 through the leadership of Catholic Diocesan archivist Leo Ansell (1925-2007), physician Patrick Murray and antiques dealer Ron Douglas. It held monthly meetings at Toowoomba State High School and St Joseph’s School until the City Council provided space in the Town Hall from July 1983 and then (in April 1996) made available the former Curator's home between Queens Park and Queens Park Gardens (Lindsay Street) that provided space for a small library and archives as well as a meeting room. This space was shared with the Toowoomba and Darling Downs Family History Society from August 1996 to September 1999; the latter society then moved to the old Drayton Road Post Office and is now located in the Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery, South Street. The Toowoomba Historical Society was incorporated in 1996.

Mission Statement and Aims

Mission:

To stimulate our community’s interest in the economic, social, cultural and environmental history and heritage of Toowoomba and its environs.

Aims:

The aims of the Toowoomba Historical Society are:

To provide a place where printed materials, photographs, publications and other objects which have significance to the history and heritage of Toowoomba and its environs can be collected, studied, preserved and displayed.

To encourage the study, collection, preservation and exhibition of both historical and significant contemporary objects (principally printed materials) pertaining particularly to Toowoomba and its environs.

To make available these materials and objects to the public for study and enjoyment.

To inform and educate the public of our economic, social, cultural and environmental history and heritage through activities such as research, publications, talks, workshops and displays.

To cooperate with like organisations in activities which promote history and/or heritage to our mutual benefit.